MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Beattie was congratulated by Mountain View County council during the Feb. 22 council meeting.
Beattie was a Mountain View County councillor from 2010 to 2021, including 10 years as reeve. He was one of six individuals honoured with induction into the hall during a ceremony in Edmonton on Feb. 2.
The hall recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Alberta agriculture and food industry and to the development and sustainability of rural life in Alberta.
Beattie was named to the hall for his decades-long involvement with the dairy industry, including playing an important role in the formation of Alberta Milk in 2000.
Beattie also held many agriculture-related positions, including chair of Alberta Milk, central zone chair on Rural Municipalities of Alberta, chair of Alberta Farm Animal Care, chair of Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture, chair of Professional ExpertScientific Advisory Committee, director of Dairy Farmers of Canada, director of Canada Dairy Commission, and director Canadian Agri-Food Research Council.
“I could never have done it without the support of my late wife Val, who held the fort all the times that I was away,” Beattie told council. “I think all of my daughters worked for me at one point on the dairy farm. I had some great support. I’ve been very, very lucky.
“And then there were the people I was fortunate enough to work with. People that I had on council for those 10 years. I was very fortunate to have a council like that, certainly very qualified and supportive. And the staff was great and I really appreciate it.”
Reeve Angela Aalbers said Beattie has made a “remarkable and unbelievable contribution to agriculture and the rural way of life.”
“We congratulate you on your journey,” said Aalbers. “It is special for our county to have one of our own recognized for such amazing contributions to an industry that feeds the world and protects the environment in a way that allows generations to benefit, moving forward.”
County councillors Alan Miller, Dwayne Fulton, Peggy Johnson, Gord Krebs, Jennifer Lutz and Greg Harris also congratulated Beattie on his achievements.
“Thank you for all your dedication to our county, and to the development of ag and ag programs throughout Alberta and throughout Canada,” said Miller.
Since being founded in 1951, only 141 individuals have been named to the Alberta Agricultural Hall of Fame.
